The significance of Sringeri constituency in K'taka polls

The party that wins the Sringeri constituency in Chickmagalur district has always gone on to form the government in Karnataka since 1952, reports Vicky Nanjappa

Call it sheer coincidence or superstition but since 1952 the Sringeri constituency in Karnataka has seen one trend -- the party that wins this seat goes on to form the government.

The Sringeri constituency in Chickmagalur district is known for its temples. The trend started in the year 1952 and continued till the 2008 elections.

Take a look at candidates who have won from Sringeri constituency.

1952: K Manjappa of the Congress won this seat in 1952. The Congress went on to form the government and Manjappa even served as chief minister for sometime.

1957: Manjappa once again won and the Congress formed the government under S Nijalingappa.

1967: Veerappa Gowda of the Congress won and the party went on to form the government.

1972: It was a victory once again for Veerappa Gowda and the Congress formed the government under Devraj Urs.

1978: This election went to B Ramaaiah of the Congress and the party formed the government first under Urs and then under Gundu Rao.

1983: Govinde Gowda of the Janata party won the seat. Government formed by Ramakrishna Hegde of the Janata party.

1985: In the mid-term poll Govinde Gowda won and the Janata Party formed the government first under Hegde and then under S R Bommai.

1989: The verdict was in favour of K Shamanna of the Congress. The Congress formed the government under Veerendra Patil, S Bangarappa and then Veerappa Moily.

1994: Govinde Gowda from the Janata Dal won the seat. Deve Gowda formed the government.

1999: D B Chandre Gowda from the Congress won this seat. The Congress formed the government under S M Krishna.

2004: D Jeevraj of the BJP won the seat. Although the Congress and the JD-S formed the government at first, later the government fell. The BJP and the JD-S joined hands to form the government for the next 20 months.

2008: Jeevraj once again won the seat on a BJP ticket and his party formed the government under B S Yeddyurappa.